Iloilo police score PHP 12.2 million drug bust

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police seized more than PHP 12 million worth of suspected shabu in three anti-illegal drug operations conducted over two days in Iloilo province.

The coordinated anti-drug campaign resulted in the arrest of five suspects.

The largest drug haul was recorded in Batad, Iloilo, following the arrest of a married couple at about 2 p.m. on Jan. 3.

Operatives from the Batad Municipal Police Station arrested alias Mico, 26, and his wife, alias Inday, 27, both residents of Estancia town, who were temporarily staying in Barangay Binon-an, Batad.

Batad police chief Capt. John Predic Padilla said authorities confiscated about 1.282 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at PHP 8,717,600, based on standard drug pricing, along with a homemade .45-caliber break-type pistol.

Police identified Mico as a high-value drug personality and the primary target of the operation.

Authorities said Inday acted as her husband’s accomplice.

Padilla said police spent about three months validating the couple’s alleged drug activities before launching the operation.

Investigators said the suspects reportedly sourced their illegal drugs from Metro Manila.

About five hours later, police conducted another anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Anoring, Sara.

Personnel from the Sara Municipal Police Station arrested alias Russ, 46, a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver, and his alleged cohort and neighbor, Marl, 40.

Sara municipal police chief, Police Capt. Theodore Roosevelt Saboy said officers seized about 170 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 1,156,000 from the two suspects.

Lambunao buy-bust

In a separate operation, members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) arrested a farmer in a buy-bust operation at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Madarag, Lambunao.

The team, led by Police Maj. Dadje Delima, PDEU chief, arrested alias Kobo, 42, a resident of Barangay Madarag.

Police seized about 350 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 2,380,000 from the suspect.

Delima said Kobo had been under police surveillance for nearly a month before his arrest.

Authorities said the suspect allegedly sourced his supply from Iloilo City and distributed illegal drugs in Lambunao and nearby towns.

IPPO director Col. Bayani Razalan said authorities are not discounting the possibility that the suspects stockpiled illegal drugs for distribution during the Dinagyang Festival.

Razalan said this prompted the IPPO to intensify its anti-drug campaign in the weeks leading up to the annual celebration, which draws large crowds to Iloilo City.

All five suspects are detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

An additional charge for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, will be filed against Mico and Inday.